The hotel - the first of its kind on Cat Ba Island - will contribute to turning Cat Ba into a world-class marine eco-tourism area. — Photo vtc.vn

A five-star hotel opened in the northern port city of Hai Phong on Monday.

Financed by the city-located Truong Binh Minh JSC, the M’Gallery Cat Ba Hotel has a total investment capital of more than VND900 billion (US$39 million).

The hotel's first phase inaugurated on Monday and cost more than VND500 billion, covering 5,000sq.m with 126 rooms, three swimming pools, two restaurants, two bars, one massage area and two meeting halls.

The second phase is slated for completion in late 2021 with a cost of above VND400 billion, featuring 142 rooms, six swimming pools, four restaurants, two bars and two convention halls that accommodate more than 500 guests.

Once fully operational, M’Gallery Cat Ba will become the largest among 70 hotels managed by Accor Group.

In his speech at the opening ceremony, vice chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Khac Nam said the hotel - the first of its kind on Cat Ba Island - will contribute to turning Cat Ba into a world-class marine eco-tourism area.

This goal is part of the master plan on the sustainable tourism development of Cat Ba.

It is also meant to realise Hai Phong's development strategy with a focus on tourism and services, logistics and seaport.

Last year, the city welcomed more than nine million travellers including 930,000 foreigners, up 16 per cent year-on-year, according to the municipal Tourism Department.

It also earned VND3.5 trillion from tourism services in 2019 thanks to its efforts to diversify tourism products, improve tourism infrastructure and accelerate promotion activities, the department said. — VNS

While people around the planet continue to grapple with the pandemic, there’s also a call to pause and reflect on another cause – Time for Nature, the theme of the UN’s World Environment Day on 5 June.